Germicide attachment for telephones



J. A. STRANSKY.

GERMICIDE ATTACHMENT FOB TELEPHONES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, I919.

1,329, 557. Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

JOHN A. STRANSKY, QF PUKWANA, S OUTH DAKOTA.

GERMICIDE arreontnnnr on TELEPHONES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedEeb. 3, 12120.

Application filed February 20, 1913. S erial No. 278,187.

To all about it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. STRANSKY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pukwana, in the county of Brule and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Germicide Attachments for Telephones, of which the followingis a specification.

The present invention comprehends generally improvements in germicide attach ments for telephones and more particularly relates to a telephone mouthpiece protector.

It is the primary aim and object of this invention to provide a device of the above mentioned character designed to be detachably engaged with the outer edge of a mouthpiece so as to cover the mouthpiece for preventing the accumulation of dust in the mouthpiece and for preventing the passage of moisture or other matter from the mouth of a person speaking into the same and thereby in consequence prevent the spreading of contagious diseases.

It is an additional and equally important object of this invention to provide a device of the above mentioned character wherein the construction is of improved. form, the component parts being removably related to each other so that the antiseptic diaphragm may be replaced whendesired yet at the same time the parts are so constructed that they coact with each other to insure of a proper positioning and retention of the device when attached.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a device of the above mentioned character wherein the retaining mem- I ber or ring is of novel construction and is formed with resilient tongues positioned to removably hold an antiseptic tablet cake laterally of the inner face of the antiseptic disk-like diaphragm and within the mouthlece. P Among the other aims and objects of this invention may be recited the provision of a device of the above mentioned character with a view to compactness, and wherein the number of parts are comparatively few, the cost of construction low and the efficiency hi h. Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of this invention will be more readily apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims, for 'ning a part of this showing the device in position,

Fig. 3 is a"fragmentary"sectional detail showing the relation of ojne or tlie retaining lugs with respect to the mouthpiece, and F 4 is an elevational detail of the retalnlng ring. i

\ Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the abovedescribed views,

to indicatecorresponding parts.

Referring "now, more particularly, to the acoinpany' ng drawings there is illustrated a portion of a transmitter 1 of the telephone which receives the mouthpiece 2 while idetachably connected to the outer edge ofthe mouthpiece'is the improved germicide attachment or protector generally indicated bythe numeral 3 designedprimarily for pi'eventingtli'e spreading of contagious diseases by preventing the accumulation of dust and germs in the mouthpiece being constructed and arranged so that the mouth of a user will not contact with the mouthpiece.

In the present instance, the improved protector may be said to consist of a supporting and attaching member comprising an annular or ring body 4 of a diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the outer portion of the mouthpiece while projecting at opposed points from the periph-- ery or outer edge of the body 4 are a p1urality of resilient attaching lugs 5 designed to embrace the outer surface near the outer edge of the mouthpiece. A disk-like diaphragm 6 is now employed and is preferably formed of chemically treated fibrous or silk paper which is relatively stiff and which. diaphragm is arranged against the inner face of the ring body 4 and supported and retained by the lugs 5. A retaining ring is now employed and is generally designated by the numeral 7 being formed of metal and of a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the annular or ring body 4 be ing positioned against the opposite face of the diaphragm 6 and retained against accidental displacement by the lugs. When the lugs are engaged with the mouthpiece this retaining ring is held against the outer edge of the mouthpiece, the arrangement being clearly indicated in the drawings, the diaphragm 6 of course being clamped between the ring 7 and the ring body 4:- In order to releasably retain antiseptic material within the mouthpiece without interfering with V the transmission of sound, the ring 7 is formed on its inner edge with opposed spring tongues 8 which extend toward each other and at a slight angle from the plane of the ring, the outer ends being slightly offset or bent as at 9 and designed to releasably and yieldingly engage the opposite faces of a cake 10 of antiseptic material, holding the latter laterally of the inner face of the disk-like diaphragm 6, the arrangement being clearly indicated in Fig. 2. By the particular construction and arrangement of parts disclosed the diaphragm 6 and the rings 3 and 7 together with the tongues 8 of the latter are held in place and provide efiectual means for retaining the antiseptic element in position laterally of the inner face of the removable disk shaped diaphragm and within the mouthpiece. 30

By this arrangement also the parts are readily separable for renewal or repairs or to replace an exhausted antiseptic element. The antiseptic elements may be renewed without disconnecting the diaphragm 6 or the inner ring 7 from the outer ring 3.

It is believed in view of the foregoing 7 description that a further detailed description of the operation of the invention is entirely unnecessary. Likewise, it is believed that the advantages of the invention will be readily apparent.

Still further embodiments of the invention than those herein especially defined may be resorted to as conditions or preference may dictate, as may be in keeping with the hereto appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a telephone mouthpiece protector, the combination with an attaching and supporting member, and a diaphragm, of a diaphragm retaining ring supported and retained by the supporting member, a cake of antiseptic material, and an engaging means on the ring for yieldingly and removably engaging the cake and supporting it laterally of the inner surface of the diaphragm and within the mouthpiece.

2. In a telephone mouthpiece protector, the combination with an attaching and sup porting member and a diaphragm arranged and supported against the inner surface of the supporting member, of a diaphragm retaining ring supported and retained by the supporting member, a cake of antiseptic material, and resilient tongues integral with the inner edge of the retaining ring and removably engaging the cake and supporting it laterally of the inner surface of the diaphragm and within the mouthpiece.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 

